Continuing on my quest for dirt cheap recording gear, I'm now looking for a mic. I'd like something that's got at least acceptable sound quality and able to record both vocals (male ones so nothing too high) and maybe off the amp. I'm looking for something around 100-150 euros/dollars. I've found a couple but the reviews are really inconsistent on what's really good and what just seems good.

As far as I'm aware the sm58 and sm57 are essentially the same mic except the sm58 is unidirectional and the sm57 isn't. If you're recording instruments definitely want to for the sm57. Vocals are okay with an sm57 but even better would be a condenser mic which are usually pretty expensive but there is a brilliant cheap - rode nt1a. I use it all the time. Also good for recording instruments. You'll need phantom power though.

You're right, the SM57 and SM58 are essentially the same mic. The 58 has the added pop screen 'sphere' for vocals.

They're both cardioid (uni-directional).

Even though both are relatively cheap, they are excellent mics - well worth the money. You can record entire albums (every instrument) with 57's and they sound great. Many, MANY classic / successful albums have had 57s all over them.

Ironically, although SM in Shure's iconic mic range stands for Studio Microphone, the SM58 is much more a stage mic than a good studio beast. Visit Abbey Road studios - you'll find Neumanns, AKGs and the like by the score, a handful of SM57s (they're great for snare drums, electric insrument cabs, and getting a certain "retro" feel on voice and sax). You'll only find about ONE SM58 in the entire place (and remember Abbey Road Studio 1 is still the largest commercial recording studio in the world (yes, I know BBC Radio has a larger orchestral studio just down the road...)).

So, mainstream dynamic mic for this sort of work, I'd go for the SM57, or look at models by AKG and Sennheiser.

But, for true-to-original sound recording at $100-150, why not go for a good condenser mic (assuming you have a mic input that will support phantom power)? The large diaphragm sE-X1 from sE Electronics is a stunning vocal and general-purpose instrument mic, every bit as sexy as its name might hint. Buy the sE-X1 Vocal Pack, and you get a pro studio quality pop shield and a decent, anti-noise suspension mount bundled in. Should still get it for less than US$150.

As a musician, music technologist, recording engineer, I've used some very expensive mics (AMS/Calrec, Neumann, top-end AKGs); I've also used some utterly appalling mics (not all of which were bargain-basement cheap!) - but I see precious little on the current market to touch the quality-per-dollar of many models in the sE range. As a general-purpose "go to" large diaphragm condenser, the sE-X1 a real peach. Clean, precise, honest vocals (with just a trace of warmth); frightning honesty with acoustic guitar; great with cabs (just don't turn it up too loud); it'll even give a delicious, silky sparkle as an overhead above a drm kit.

If you want to run it straight into a PC or Mac, there is a USB version available.

About the only firm I can think of that might offer something to compete for quality, versatility and price might be R0DE - but certainly, for my studio today, there's nothing near the price to touch it.

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable! : Beethoven